Vitali Klitschko has confirmed that he will defend his world heavyweight boxing title against former champion Shannon Briggs on October 16 in his adopted home city of Hamburg .

The Ukrainian last put his WBC belt up for grabs in May against Albert Sosnowski in what he has said will be his last year as a professional fighter .

The 39-year-old , who has successfully defended the crown four times , will face the American , 38 , for the first time as he seeks to extend his 40-2 career record .

`` I am really happy that I will have a fight in Hamburg again , the place where I started my professional career . The o2 World is a great arena and the fans in Hamburg are real box experts and will make a perfect atmosphere , '' Klitschko told his website .

`` Shannon Briggs is not only big at talking but also big in the ring and a very tough challenger . He is more experienced than me , has more professional fights on his record and is one of the hardest punchers in the division . I will be very well prepared together with my trainer Fritz Sdunek . ''

Briggs , nicknamed `` The Cannon , '' has a record of 51-5 with 45 victories by knockout -- 27 in the first round . He has previously beaten former world champions George Foreman , Ray Mercer and Sergej Liakhovich .

`` For a long time I have been trying hard to fight a Klitschko . Most of their opponents are scared to death when they step into the ring . I will put a lot of pressure on Klitschko and take the fight to him . Klitschko can enjoy his belt for a few more weeks ; after October 16 it will be mine ! ''

Klitschko 's younger brother Wladimir , the IBF , WBO and IBO champion , will face former WBC titleholder Samuel Peter of Nigeria in another Germany-based bout in Frankfurt on September 11 .

Britain 's WBA beltholder David Haye , who both Klitschkos have accused of being scared to fight them , may next fight former Olympic champion Audley Harrison , according to promoter Barry Hearn .

Hearn , whose son Eddie is involved in the talks with Haye 's manager Adam Booth , said the fight would be a boost for British boxing .

`` In the heavyweight division , there is nothing else out there as far as British fight fans are concerned , Harrison-Haye is enormous , '' he told Sky Sports News .

`` The fantastic thing about David Haye is that he 's burst on the scene and done a fantastic job against -LSB- Nikolay -RSB- Valuev , boxed the ears off -LSB- John -RSB- Ruiz and put him into retirement . He 's hot .

`` Audley Harrison , in my opinion , is a bigger draw . People do n't know what to expect from Audley Harrison , he 's been talking a great fight for years , never delivered it . He 's at that last-stage saloon -- every fight fan in England wants to see this fight . ''

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WBC champion Vitali Klitschko will return to adopted home city of Hamburg for defense

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Ukrainian faces American fighter Shannon Briggs in Germany on October 16

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His brother Wladimir is preparing for title clash with Samuel Peter on September 11

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WBA champion David Haye reportedly in talks for bout with Audley Harrison